Sarooj Oasis

As the central ecological node of Sultan Haitham City—Oman’s first smart and sustainable urban model—Sarooj Oasis redefines the interface between nature, infrastructure, and inclusive living. Located in Muscat, a city at the intersection of Gulf modernity and cultural legacy, the project responds to a complex terrain, an adjacent valley, and a demand for balanced urban growth. More than a residential enclave, Sarooj Oasis embodies a framework for green continuity, affordable access, and collective resilience.

Site Strategy and Valley Integration

The 7.5-hectare site occupies a strategic urban corner, defined by its adjacency to a vast valley corridor, an active riverbed, and planned mobility infrastructure. The site’s varied topography and proximity to city amenities made it a focal point within the masterplan. Rather than neutralizing the gradient, the project embraces it orienting all buildings to maximize views, ventilation, and solar performance. Public squares and micromobility connections are placed at key thresholds, particularly along the north axis, where a new plaza anchors the main access point.

A green spine connects the valley to the urban core, transforming a natural resource into a structuring element of the city. Through careful sequencing, the design ensures a seamless transition between high-density edges and low density, nature oriented interior zones.

Design Principles

Equitable Density and Inclusive Housing:
A 50-50 distribution of affordable and market-rate housing allows social diversity without spatial segregation. Townhouses and apartments are integrated into a shared urban fabric, supported by communal courtyards, pedestrian boulevards, and integrated recreational zones.

Programmatic Gradient and Mixed Use:
The site is divided into zones of civic, residential, and commercial intensity. Retail units are concentrated along shaded arcades and public streets, activating the day to day life of the city. Villas with private gardens and pools form the quiet edge toward the valley, providing high end living in direct contact with nature.

Ecological Continuity and Climate Responsiveness:
Terraced landscapes and rainwater management systems enhance the microclimate, while green corridors allow flora and fauna continuity. Built forms are oriented to reduce solar gain, and open spaces prioritize native species and permeable surfaces.

Incremental Growth and Flexibility:
The zoning framework accommodates phased construction, modular adaptability, and evolving stakeholder input allowing the project to mature in sync with the surrounding city.

Reclaiming the Valley as Civic Infrastructure
Sarooj Oasis is not simply a residential cluster but a new urban landscape that restores the ecological and social potential of the valley. Through a careful blend of topographic responsiveness, mixed use programming, and human scale design, the project offers a resilient model for Oman’s next generation of cities green, connected, and inclusive by design.